【Limited Edition Cover Announcement & Comments from 7 Authors】50th Anniversary Work for 'Shincho Bunko's 100 Books'! A Gift from Isaka Kotaro, Ekou Kaori, Onda Riku, Nashiki Kaoru, Machida Sonoko, Miyabe Miyuki, and Yonezawa Hagumi to be Released on June 24!

The annual summer book fair 'Shincho Bunko's 100 Books' is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To commemorate this, seven representative contemporary authors were asked to write short stories themed around 'summer'. This miraculous collection, 'Present', which can only be read here, will be published by Shincho Sha on June 24. A limited edition cover that you will want to place on your bookshelf is also prepared.

■ A Miraculous Collection of All-Original Short Stories
All the short stories included in this work are original works that can only be read here. Mystery, romance, horror, youth, fantasy. Packed with various genres, this book has become one that anyone of any generation can enjoy. Please visit a bookstore as a book to enjoy by yourself, as a gift for someone important, or as an introduction to reading.

■ Limited Edition Cover with Foil Stamping is Decided for Release!
For this binding, a limited edition cover based on the design of a pamphlet from 1976 when 'Shincho Bunko's 100 Books' began is prepared. Unlike the usual Shincho Bunko cover, thick paper with a good texture is used, and the title is foil-stamped to create a book that you want to hold as a paper book.

Left: 'Present' Limited Edition Cover Right: 1976 Version 'Shincho Bunko's 100 Books' Pamphlet
After the first printing, the cover will become a regular cover themed around 'Present', which is also the title. Designed with a cute ribbon and a sealing stamp that includes the English letters '50th Anniversary of '100 Books Selected by Shincho Bunko'' ('Shincho Bunko's 100 Books' 50th Anniversary), it is finished in a design that you want to give as a gift.

■ Comments Arrived from 7 Authors!
Comments from the seven authors who wrote short stories themed around 'summer' this time have arrived regarding the short stories they wrote!
Isaka Kotaro
Originally, I was writing this as a novel, but for various reasons, I couldn't complete it, so I tried rewriting it as a short story. I hope you enjoy the activities of the famous detective Shirakawa Yofune.
Ekou Kaori
I tried writing a youth novel for the first time in a while, but I feel like it might have become an old person's novel. But I think there is at least that flustered summer atmosphere.
Onda Riku
In 1992's 'The Sixth Sayoko', Sekine Aki, in 2002's 'The Sea in the Library', Sekine Natsu, and now, after a quarter of a century (!), I was finally able to write about Sekine Haru, the high school days of the Sekine trio. Nostalgic and a bit thrilling, I'm now relieved.
Nashiki Kaoru
During the period I was writing this novel, the phrase 'Stylish black fence, looking beyond the pine tree' kept repeating in my head, morning and evening, causing me some trouble, and I spent my days with a vague consciousness of not knowing in which era I was living. That said, the novel itself is set in the present day. It has nothing to do with O-Tomi-san. I hope you enjoy it.
Machida Sonoko
I wrote a story of one summer like strawberry ice cream, like droplets of light from bursting fireworks. Welcome to Tenderness.
Miyabe Miyuki
The plot of this short story is familiar to those who often read horror and SF fiction on the net. Yes, I myself am a big fan of many episodes in the vast shared world where that 'foundation' appears, and I have always dreamed of participating once. However, it was really difficult to write faithfully to the setting, and I had to give up. I am grateful that I was able to write a small short story paying respect to the world of that 'foundation' in this original anthology celebrating the long history of Shincho Bunko.
Yonezawa Hagumi
I think the meaning of summer has changed. It's good to go out for recreation, to the sea or the mountains, but it's also enjoyable to read a bunko book in a room with a cool breeze— I think the era when I thought of summer as such a season is coming to an end, or has already ended. So, what is summer now? While thinking about that, this novel was born.

■ Table of Contents & Introduction (Note: In Order of Appearance)
Isaka Kotaro 'The Woodpecker Manor Incident'
I have compiled and published five difficult cases solved by Shirakawa Yofune. However, I am hesitating whether to publish the sixth case. I will write the reason here— A mystery where surprise and sadness intersect.
Ekou Kaori 'Two Universes'
An extremely shy grandmother with strong preferences. But I ended up meeting my somewhat unusual girlfriend, Marika... There was eternal time there on a summer evening in the first year of university.
Miyabe Miyuki 'The Trunk of Truth'
In my early twenties, I worked at a bar. There, I met a certain uncle from a foundation and a small trunk that allows you to see the truth of humans. The heat brings back memories of that summer incident.
Machida Sonoko 'Surely the Light of That Day'
First year of high school summer. My best friend got a girlfriend. In the midst of complex feelings, I tried to have a summer romance, and I accidentally met a classmate from middle school. A bittersweet youth bursts out in the 'Convenience Store Brothers' series spin-off.
Yonezawa Hagumi 'Darkness'
August heatwave. Shinjuku Station, 2 PM. A woman walking through the free passage suddenly crouched down and strangled a crying baby's neck. Why did she take such action? A social mystery about summer.
Nashiki Kaoru 'Looking Beyond the Pine'
After divorcing and returning to her parents' home, Masako. Strange stories begin to move little by little, starting with the demolition of the large house with a big pine tree across the street from her house.
Onda Riku
This year's 'Sayoko' is me— In the summer of my third year of high school, as the entrance exams approach, what is the fate of Shun, who was appointed to the role of carrying on the long-standing tradition rooted in the school? A prequel to 'The Sixth Sayoko' that stirs the heart.

■ 'Shincho Bunko's 100 Books' is Celebrating its 50th Anniversary This Year
The bookstore fair 'Shincho Bunko's 100 Books', which started with the idea of two young employees in 1976 (Showa 51), is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Aiming to be a fair that serves as an introduction to reading for junior high and high school students and beginner readers, we have gathered masterpieces from all over the world. This year also features a luxurious lineup of new releases such as 'Present' and 'Naruse Believed in the Path', premium covers limited to the summer, reprinted versions, and special bookmarks. Please visit a bookstore in the summer and look for a book that catches your interest.

■ Book Introduction Text
This is a present for those who have loved novels so far, and for those who are about to take a step into the world of novels. A story that you read casually might change your life greatly with just one line that you happened to see, or one unexpected word. Packed with surprise, sadness, fear, beauty, and above all, incredible fun, this miraculous collection is written by seven representative contemporary authors themed around 'summer'. Well, let's add novels as an option in your life.

■ Author Introduction
Isaka Kotaro
Born in 1971 (Showa 46). Debuted with 'Audubon's Prayer' in 2000 (Heisei 12), winning the Shincho Mystery Club Award. In 2008, won the Yomiuri Prize and the 5th Bookstore Grand Prize for 'Golden Slumber'.
Ekou Kaori
Born in 1964 (Showa 39). Won the 'Small Fairy Tale' Grand Prize with 'The Story of Kusagoroshi' in 1987, the Akutagawa Prize with 'Prepared to Cry' in 2004 (Heisei 16), and the Kawabata Prize with 'Dog and Harmonica' in 2012.